Lately, it has been hot, so I decided to do something that would make life a little easier. I cooked a bunch of different meals in the crock pot, put them into containers, and froze them. That way, when the weather is hot, I wouldn't have to do much cooking. Then a flyer came in from the local Mexican market. They had pineapples, plantains, mangoes, watermelon, cucumbers—fresh fruits and vegetables at really good prices. They also had beef shanks. So after the gym, I had my caretaker take me to the store. I already had plenty of food at home. I had meals in the freezer, food in the refrigerator, and everything I needed. I wasn't going to the store because I was running out of food. But when I got there, something happened. I felt happy. The store was colorful and full of fresh food. I could choose one of this, two of that, three of something else. I wasn't limited to whatever quantity happened to come in a package. I could actually look at what I wanted and decide what I wa...
This tough economy has been both a blessing and a curse. With all the extra time on my hands, I've been forced to reflect on where I've been, where I am now, and where I'm headed. I've been taking stock of my life skills, gifts, and talents, and exploring ways to repackage, remarket, or even separate them to provide better value and service to those who need them. I've also realized that some of the challenges I've overcome can be used to benefit others in the future. This period has pushed me to reassess my path, utilize all my abilities, and once again reinvent myself—like a phoenix rising from the ashes—into a new path.